News

02March

Let The Waiting Games Begin

Ben Hudson of Hudson Moody comments on a period of stagnation in the property market.

Putting off moving until after the summer holidays or waiting until after Christmas are the usual causes of home buying inertia. But now we have lots more reasons to put off the evil day. First there is the General Election. The World Cup in South Africa will quickly follow in June. Quite how differing outcomes of these events will affect the market is hard to fathom.

A brief period of euphoria may sweep the nation should England win the Jules Rimet Trophy but this is hardly going to kick-start a housing boom or usher in a slump. Likewise there will be few surprises, no matter who wins the election. Labour, Conservative, Liberal Democrat, Green, UKip or even the Monster Raving Loony Party – it is hard to see how any new government will not oversee a rise in interest rates, income tax and even VAT to claw back our crushing £101 billion deficit.

So if we know we are in for a tough few years of readjustment - no matter who wins the World Cup or General Election - perhaps the prudent thing to do would be to act now. For those who anticipate financial difficulty, downsizing and lowering the mortgage might be a sensible option. Others may wish to go eco-friendly ahead of inevitable rising energy prices. Still more may wish to release funds ahead of the increasing cost of their children’s educations.

For those who see this time as one of golden opportunities there are certainly some of those. Our lowest interest rates for hundreds of years make stepping up in the market or even getting onto the first rung of the property-owning ladder easier now than for a long time – just as long as funds are available.

But despite the opportunities offered by this market there will still be those happy to put things off: and of course there are plenty of other events coming up in the months ahead to help them stave off moving day. Later this year there’s the Commonwealth Games in Delhi and the G20 meeting in Seoul. Or for those who want to wait for the big one, what about the London Olympics in 2012?

But really, the best time to move is when our own lives dictate that it is right to do so, rather than waiting on the outcomes of national or world events. Currently there is a dearth of property on the market because so many people are waiting in vain. This is even causing prices to rise in some areas and bringing uncertainty in others.

However one thing is very certain: as far as the property market is concerned, waiting isn’t working.

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'Understanding , Patience and Professionalism'

A big thank you for all of the help you have given us during the buying of our new house. It has been
greatly appreciated. In fact i dont think we would be completed now if it wasn't for your Understanding,
Patience and Professionalism.

A "Real" Estate Agent !

I would have no hesitation in recommending Hudson Moody to any Prospective seller and buyer , a "real"
estate agent.

Mr G Blyth

New Lease of Life

Just to say thank you very much indeed for all your help in ensuring that my sale went through today.
Your diligence and thoroughness in finding a buyer in this difficult market is much appreciated. It's
been a sad process for me selling my family home but it is also a great weight of my mind and I'm glad
the house is going to get a new lease of life.Thank you again for all your calm help and support.

Mrs Pittaway

'Never Dreamt It Would Be So Fast '

Just to say a big Thank You, I still can't really believe how quickly my house sold, I was thinking
six months at the best but never dreamt it would be less than three weeks, and how smoothly everything
went from start to finish. I've said again that this will be the last move, but if not I shall certainly
be on the phone to Hudson-Moody. I've already recommended you, and I've had e-mails from friends wanting
to know how it is I've moved so fast!